Normally i wouldn't post a build blog of this magnitude but seeing how this kit is so rare to come across i though it only fair to share this build with everyone.
I have been asked by a good club friend to build this boat knowing little about it, and have spent most of the day goggling info, with little success.
The only real information i have about this boat is what has been supplied via the website.
So here are the details of the boat herself.
S.Y. KOMET was constructed at Bremer Vulcan a.g. Vegesack 543 and launched on the 6-4-1911. (however the kit is named S.M.S Komet)
She was designed and built as a governor's yacht for Deutsche Neu Gunea (German New Guinea).
Komet was built of steel up to the boat deck, the wheelhouse was of Mahogany or steel and panelled in the same, Her GRT was 977 tons.
Her power was from twin steam boilers powering twin triple expansion engines to two screws with a H.P of 1400 giving a top speed of 13 knots. She carried a crew of 160 and was lightly armed with one 37 mm rapid fire cannon and one 8mm machine gun both on pedestal mountings. She was stationed in New Guinea as the German Governors yacht until 11-10-14. When she was taken as a war prize by the Australian navy and taken into service as a packet / patrol boat. She was armed with three 4” guns on pedestal mountings at that time.
She was then renamed H.M.A.S. UNA (one of a kind). After the war she was sold into service as the Pilot boat for the Port Phillip pilot service and renamed AKUNA. She was commissioned in to the R.A.N. as an examination vessel for Port Phillip. In 1943 she was retained until late in WW11.
She was still used as a standby vessel until 1954. She gave long service at this position with a legend for rolling on wet grass. The AKUNA was finally broken up in Melbourne in 1955.
When finished she should look like this...
I would like to request some help with information/ photographs of this vessel if any are out there to aid with the build of this ship.
There is no real time deadline on the build, i have a feeling 6 months should be more then adequate to finish it however with any build time is subject to change depending on what crops up, and at present i have 4 other builds to contend with
my 1:32 tug (which is has been ongoing for past 6 months now) the newly acquired motor boat from ebay, Graupner's Wiesel & another club members seaport tug conversion, think this lot should keep me busy for the next 2 years
I have collected the kit this evening and must say its very impressive in parts, the model i was told is one of the first to come of the mold there is clearly some age there but i have checked over the GRP hull it is of quite a good quality, with only a few section that will need some work to tidy it up, but it is only a single layer of matting over the gel coat so i think some reinforcement with bulkheads will defiantly be needed, the model is totally upstarted, many many fittings /etched brass parts the attention to detail is incredible.
I will post some photos tomorrow evening when i get all the parts out and so you guys can see what you get for £550!
RR